New York Clown Theatre Festival

Clowns invade Williamsburg again when The Brick Theater, Inc. hosts the 2nd Annual New York Clown Theatre Festival!

This world-class festival brings New York audiences world-class clown performances from Canada, Catalonia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom over the USA. With over 20 mainstage productions, several one-night-only cabaret performances, and a series of lectures and workshops by some of the top clowning professionals in the world, The Brick Theater’s New York Clown Theatre Festival throws down the gauntlet to stake its claim as the Most Serious Clowning Around in New York City!

At 5 PM on October 5, New Yorkers are invited to get on the L train and ride to the Brooklyn Bedford stop. Volunteers will be handing out free clown noses at stations along the L train. Participants will get out at Bedford stop in Brooklyn, and march 10 blocks to The
Brick Theater along with a marching band and over a hundred Clowns!!

Once arriving at the Brick, participants can jump into in a free and fun Pie Fight, then take in the chaos of an all-evening Clown Cabaret! Later Festival events will include a clown-on-clown smackdown Clown Olympics and a bedlam-inducing ’round-the-city Clown Bar Hop! And of course, the Clown Shows themselves: From the ridiculous to the existential, from the playful to the dark, these curated performances run the gamut of the human experience. While clown work itself spans thousands of years and countless cultures and faiths, Clown Theatre is a theatrical art form that has been building in scope and depth for more than three decades. Its influence can be seen in shows by companies such as Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil, schools like Lecoq in France and Dell’Arte in California and movements such as New Vaudeville, and in the film and TV work of performers such as Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat).
In addition to performances, the New York Clown Theatre Festival also hosts Clown Classes, Workshops and Lectures from some of the world’s most prominent and renowned Master Clown Teachers, including Sue Morrison (European and Native American Clowning Guru), Giovanni Fusetti (renowned director/teacher at KÌKLOS international school of theatre in Padua, Italy), Barry Lubin (‘Grandma’ of Big Apple Circus) among others.

CABARETS
Click on the show titles for individual ticket sales.

CLOWN CABARET
Hosted by Eric Davis. Including Miss Saturn, the hilarious and revolutionary mainstay of the NYC burlesque and vaudeville scene, The Great Grazini, the world famous Italian impresario with his assistant, Coccina, and Li’l Buoy Physical Theatre from Alaska. Also featuring excerpts from Bouffon Glass Menajoree, Chiche Capon, The Damsel’s Demise, Under The Skiff and other surprise guests.
Thurs, Oct 11 at 10:30 pm

CLOWN CABARET
Hosted by Mooky. With clean-up by Scout Master Robert and Officer Crabtree. Featuring FAMOUS!
Karen Walks the Red Carpet, created and performed by Sandi Carroll and directed by Jane Nichols, JOE: THE PERFECT MAN by Rachel Elie and directed by Adam Lazarus, MR.LOVE from London’s wicked cabaret scene *love, peace and wet underpants*, THE DEVIL’S BOUQUET created and performed by Sksyler Sullivan, Josh Matthews, and W.T. Also featuring highlights from THE GLORIES OF GLORIA REVUE , The Maestrosities: The Coolest Band Ever!, TAPATE, and more!
Thur, Oct 25 at 10:30 pm

NY CLOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL MAIN STAGE SHOWS
Click on the show titles for individual ticket sales.

BOUFFON GLASS MENAJOREE
(Ten Directions) NEW YORK CITY (60 minutes)
Gentlemen callers beware: The Wingfields plume their nest with broken glass, twisted morals, and perverted minds. Each night a new audience member will get to play the role of Jim. Tom, Amanda, and Laura claim no responsibility for your hurt feelings or offended sentiments. Tennessee Williams is spinning in his grave. Written by the performers, Lynn Berg, Audrey Crabtree, Aimee Leigh German and director, Eric Davis. Nominated for 4 NY Innovative Theatre Awards.
www.bouffonglassmenajoree.com
Thu. Oct 12, 8:30pm and Fri. Oct 13, 10:30pm.

BUBKUS
Jesse Buck, Michael John Dubue) CANADA (60 minutes)
Bubkus is a simple story of mythical proportions featuring monsters, the hero and (of course) a damsel in distress. Without words, and
using only a blanket, a pillow and a toothbrush, Jesse Buck takes the audience through a story about imagination, by transforming himself into its many characters. Written by the performer, Jesse Buck, and Michael John Dubue, directed by Adam Lazarus.
www.jessebuck.com
A SHOW FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
Sat., Oct. 6th, 3:30pm, Sun., Oct. 7th 8:30pm, & Mon., Oct. 8th 7pm.

BURNT UMBER
(The Combustibles) NEW YORK CITY (60 minutes)
Two grotesque-looking office workers survive the apocalypse and live in a theater. Their hilarious stupidity is revealed through their struggle to make sense of an unknown world. Drawing from the tradition of the clown and vaudeville, inspired by Beckett, but with ridiculous choreography. This stupidly skilled female clown duo provokes, inspires and delights. In a delicate world where small disasters happen every day and large problems loom. Created by the performers Anne Sorce, Liza Zapol and director Rachel Eckerling.
www.thecombustibles.com
Sun., Oct. 14th 5:30pm, Tues., Oct. 16th 7pm, Sat., Oct. 20th 10:30pm.

CLOWNIFORNIA
(The Damsels/Jeff Seal) CALIFORNIA/NEW YORK (60 mintues)
Two California Groups share the bill for this night of shorts.
The Damsel’s Demise features the girlie girl, in love with her mannequin boyfriend, and the tomboy, playing war games from her cardboard box fort, are polar opposites and yet they are all there is to each other. They operate in a world of ferocious play: of deep companionship and perilous betrayal. During the 30 minute journey the audience finds themselves literally part of their world. Created and performed by Suzanne Santos and Summer Shapiro.
A Sudden Gust of Gravity:: A clown “tests” the consistency of gravity thru thorough experiments with a pilates ball, a floating helium disc and feathers. He falls down a lot in the process. Created and performed by Jeff Seal.
Fri., Oct. 12th 7pm, Sat., Oct. 13th 4pm, Sun., Oct. 14th 10pm

CHICHE CAPON’S CABARET
(Associates Les Nouveaux Gitans) FRANCE
A show for kids lost in adult clothes, or adults who’ve kept point of view and sensibility of youngsters, this show presents a gallery of characters successively fragile, possessive, jealous, authoritarian, candid and magnanimous. In search of beauty and harmony, they’re looking for meaning to life and to time’s race. Created and performed by: Frédéric Blin , Matthieu Pillard, Richard Lo Giudice, and Patrick
de Valette.
www.leschichecapon.com
Fri., Oct. 12th 10:30pm, Sat. Oct. 13th 8:30pm, Sun., Oct 14th 3:30pm, Tues., Oct 16th 10pm, Wed., Oct17th, 7pm***FINAL SHOW PERFORMED IN FRENCH

CIRCUS MINIMUS-THE ONE-MAN-CIRCUS-IN-A-SUITCASE
(Circus Minimus) NEW YORK CITY (60 minutes)
A SHOW FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! From Kevin O’Keefe’s suitcase an entire circus emerges: tent, band, lights, the boisterous ringmaster Steve Fitzpatrick, the officious Mervin Merkle, the incredible Bumbilini Family, the Magician to the Stars Clyde Zerbini, and Keefer–an innocent trying to runaway and join the circus. However, the most important performers emerge from the audience. Each performance becomes a dialogue between the characters and the audience–a light- hearted collaboration. Created by performer Kevin O’Keefe with directors Barbara Karger & Maile O’Keefe. www.circusminimus.com
Sat,. Oct. 13th Noon, Sun., Oct. 14th Noon.

COPS (EFS) CATALAN
(65 mintues)
The non-verbal/mimetic clowns of EFS bring their popular show to premiere in the U.S. Three characters give their point of view about police world. Law and disorder! Some shooting practices, a robbery in a museum, an infiltration in the mafia, a surrealist interrogation…You will enjoy a lot with this show and its gags so that you could not stop laughing. Created and performed by Ferran Aixala ,Jaume Jove,Jordi Huete. Directed by Caroline Dream & Alex Navarro.
cops.encarafaremsalat.com
Sat., Oct. 6th 10pm, Sun., Oct. 7th 2pm, Mon., Oct. 8th 8:30pm, Wed., Oct. 10th 9pm.

THE GLORIES OF GLORIA REVUE
(Mooky) CANADA (75 minutes)
Gloria’s a triple threat: she can sing, dance and turn cartwheels. And if she doesn’t know how to do something, she’ll fake it. Mooky, as Gloria, bumbles her way through a series of theatrical vignettes, puppetry and video segments while her dream of being a star becomes reality. Mooky’s credits include, lead clown in Cirque du Soleil’s, Varekai, the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, and The New Pickle Circus.
Sun., Oct. 21st 3:30pm, Wed., Oct 24th 9pm, Sat., Oct. 27th 8pm, Sun., Oct. 28th 3:30pm

LESTER AND LOUIS SAVE THE WORLD
(FreeWheelin’ Theatre) KENTUCKY (50 minutes)
The end is nigh! Civilizations only hope for survival lies in the hands of Lester and Louie, and Louie’s a chair (hence, no hands).
Blood, sweat, fist fights and Mexicans are all a part of the plan to help Lester not only save the world, but himself. Come to the forest, and let laughter save your soul. Created and performed by Justin and Rachael Dobring, Directed by Rachael Dobring.
Fri., Oct. 19th 8:30pm, Sat., Oct. 20th 5pm, Sun., Oct. 21st 2pm.

THE MAESTROSITIES: THE COOLEST BAND EVER!
(Maestrosities) NEW YORK CITY (70 minutes)
Material Girl and Turning Japanese performed on tuba, ukulele, trumpet, clarinet, accordion and spoons! If no one tells these clowns how stupid they are, they will continue to tour the world, imagining that they are, indeed, “The Coolest Band Ever!” Inspiring Resilience or Obstinate Mediocrity? Come see them, and decide for yourself. Created and performed by David Gochfeld, Glen Heroy, Roderick Kimball, Jenny Lee Mitchell, Gina Samardge, and Andy Sapora. www.maestrosities.com
Wed., Oct. 24th 7pm, Fri., Oct. 26th 9pm, Sat., Oct. 27th noon, Sun., Oct 28th 5pm.

MOVING TARGET
(Empty Oven Theatre and The Theatre Resource Centre) CANADA (60 minutes)
Flam St. Cyr is back and wound tighter than ever. She’s in the ambivalent process of daydreaming her life back from devastating illness, with only the company of a 2nd hand radio. Howevhow, out of the bowels of somewhere she pulls out the one true thing that gives her permission to get on with it. Created by performer Erin Bouvey and director Sue Morrison.
Sat., Oct. 6th 8pm, Sun., Oct. 7th 4pm, Tues., Oct. 9th 7pm, Thurs., Oct. 11th 8:30pm.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME
(Funeeestuff Productions) FLORIDA (80 minutes)
If actions speak louder than words, this show screams fun!” This word- free comedy can be understood in any language. Whether he’s changing his clothes, setting the table, or just sitting down, you’re guaranteed to have fun. Rob Torres has a unique way of finding absurdity in common everyday tasks. If you’re looking for laughter, this is where you’ll find it. Created and performed by Rob Torres, directed by Avner Eisenberg.
www.funeeestuff.com
Sat., Oct. 6th Noon, Sun., Oct. 7th 5:30pm, Wed., Oct 10th 7pm.

PATATRAC
(Delikatessenduo) ITALY (60 minutes)
After touring all over Europe, Patatrac travels from Italy to make their U.S. début! This show features a comic-musical duel between two clown-musicians. They create innovative musical instruments, with mime and physical comedy . The end is a love story. Created and performed by Moreno Raspanti, Christina Glogowsky Family Friendly Show
Sun., Oct. 14th 2pm, Tues., Oct. 16th 8:30pm, Fri., Oct. 19th 10pm, Sat., Oct. 20th 2pm.

RED BASTARD
(Eric Davis and Sue Morrison) NEW YORK CITY (60 minutes)
Red Bastard is New York’s King of Fools! This one-man bouffon show stars critically acclaimed cult icon, Red Bastard as a grotesque, yet disarmingly charming creature, whose enormous ego is matched only be his colossal red ass. Highly interactive, Red Bastard’s performances are a dialogue with the audience where anything could happen. Marvel as this impish ton of fun mocks the institutions of theatre, education, American pop-culture and politics.
www.redbastard.com
Sat., Oct. 13th 7pm.

RIDICULOSITY
(The Glass Contraption) NEW YORK CITY (60 minutes)
Ted is amazing! Unfortunately, he’s missing. When four clowns find a spare clown in a trunk, they attempt to make a show of epic proportions for the people with singing and music, tap dancing, loud noises, attempted feats of acrobatics, falling in love and falling down. Hailed as “theatrical, lyrical and poetical on the one hand and controlled chaos on the other”, the Glass Contraption takes you inside the beautifully stupid and wildly funny world of the clown.
Created by the ensemble, Katie Down, Robert Grant, Andy Grotelueschen, Pier Harrell, Catherine Mueller, and Justine Williams, with director Virginia Scott.
www.glasscontraption.org
Fri., Oct. 19th 7pm, Sat., Oct. 20th Noon, Sun., Oct. 21st 5pm.

SAVAGE AMUSEMENTS
(Daredevil Chicken Club) GERMANY (50 minutues)
A Transylvannian mail-order bride caught in Florida finds herself having to make ends meet. Known as the Gymnastic Genie from years ago in her home country, Svetlana Flamingo resurrects her old acts to wow the crowd with her “physical stuntings.” An accomplished splitski-ologist performs The Rings of Despair, The Upside Down Flamingo, Squished Bug and The Ternal Dance of Fluffy Pink. Through her re-invention of former glories, she finds the key to freedom from
the trailer park. Created and performed by Anne Goldman.
www.svetlanashow.com
Sat., Oct. 20th 6:30pm, Sun., Oct. 21st Noon, Tues., Oct. 23rd 7pm

SOLO: A TWO-PERSON SHOW
(Under the Table Theatre) NEW YORK CITY (60 minutes)
As two brothers find themselves suddenly lost in a ridiculous puzzle about their own lives, they become entangled in colliding worlds of fantasy, reality, and memory! This insightful physical comedy takes the audience on an intelligent journey of imagination and play, through steamy jungles and bitter cold! The race is on to figure out what may or may not have just happened as they sort through the details of their last moments together.
Created and performed by www.underthetabletheatre.org
Sat., Oct. 20th 3:30pm, Sun., Oct. 21st 8pm, Sat., Oct. 26th 10:30pm

Tápate/COVER YOURSELF
(Pez En Raya) CATALAN/ ANDALUSIAN (90 minutes)
This award winning show has toured all of Europe and is performing in the USA for the first time. Cover Yourself is a tragicomedy. Yoli, a local woman, has murdered her husband. The entire police force are in pursuit. All airport, stations, borders and bridges have been closed.
The famous Holloway prison awaits her arrival. She wants to prove the whole world that her crime was a simply domestic accident, a mishap, a misunderstanding… Created and performed by Cristina Medina & Joan Estrader. Directed by David Sant.
Thurs., Oct. 25th 7pm, Fri., Oct. 26th 7pm, Sat., Oct. 27th 6pm**Final show in Spanish

UNDER THE SKIFF
(Three Times Nothing/InterAction) NEW YORK/FRANCE (60 minutes)
As two clowns wait in the barren immigration office of a strange country, in hopes that their Papers will be approved, they invite the audience to follow their stream of anxious, confused consciousness as they play out their daydreams of paperwork hurricanes, operatic tales of epic struggle, government surveillance carnivals, and various other fantasies of catastrophe. Taking the perilous imaginative landscape of Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea as inspiration, Under the Skiff is a lyrical farce told in the Lecoq School’s poetic clown style and created by an international partnership of artists committed to exploring the absurdity and pathos of the human situation. Created and performed by Maja Bieler and Jenny Sargent.
www.myspace.com/undertheskiff
Tues., Oct. 9th 8:30pm, Sat., Oct. 13th 5:30pm, Sun., Oct. 14th 7pm, Sat., Oct. 27th 10pm

THE ART OF SILENT SCREEN COMEDY
(Ben Model) New York City (2 hours)
From Spongebob to Mr. Bean to YouTube videos, visual humor is making a comeback. Join Ben Model, noted film historian and MoMA silent film accompanist for THE ART OF SILENT SCREEN COMEDY. Model will show short films and clips of the great clowns of the silent screen, and will talk about the history and origins of the timeless visual and
physical humor in film. Ben Model has been a silent film accompanist for the Museum of Modern Art in New York for over 20 years and plays both piano and theatre organ. In 2006 he co-curated MoMA’s acclaimed Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle retrospective. Model is the producer/accompanist for the popular NYC-based “Silent Clowns Film
Series” currently celebrating its 10th year of shows.
www.silentfilmmusic.com or www.silentfilmmusic.blogspot.com
Sat, Oct. 13th 1:30-3:30pm

ZEN CABARET: A CONTEMPLATIVE BURLESQUE
by Nina Rolle (Colorado) (60 minutes)
Zen Cabaret: a contemplative burlesque is the illegal marriage of Buddhist contemplative art and lowbrow humor. Enchanting music, sexy clowns, homemade instruments, accordions and Absurdist Retail Therapy come together to form a new hybrid genre: Sonic Theater. Nina Rolle is hilariously seductive – or seductively hilarious – as the charlatan-emcee of this traveling medicine show.
Sat., Oct. 6th 2pm, Sun., Oct. 7th 7pm, Thurs., Oct. 11th, 7pm, Sun., Oct. 14th 8:30pm.